Plural transmitter telegraph system with number transmitter



Nov. 8, 1949 R. G. SCHULER PLURAL TRANSMITTER TELEGRAPH SYSTEM WITH NUMBER TRANSMITTER FiledJan. 25, 1946 4 m 3 1 w m INVENTOR REGINALD G. SCHULER ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 8, 1949 PLURAL TRANSMITTER TELEGRAPH S YS- TEM WITH NUMBER TRANSMITTER Reginald G. Schuler, Highland Park, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application January 23, 1946, Serial No. 642,916

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to telegraph transmission stations, and more particularly to an automatic telegraph transmission station.

In present day transmission centers handling a large number of messages, it often occurs that certain of the messages to be transmitted have a priority or are rush messages and thus should receive preference with respect to the normal or regular messages handled which make up the greater portion of the total of work handled. In order that such priority messages be handled with the greatest expediency it is desirable that automatic means be provided to control transmission thereof.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide automatic means whereby priority messages may be transmitted in preference to regular messages.

It is manifest, however, that such an automatic system should operate in such a manner that the transmission of a regular message will not be broken into for transmission of a priority message. Likewise, priority message transmission should not be broken into by regular message transmission.

Accordingly, another object'of the invention is to provide means so that automatic transmission of priority messages will not break in during transmission of a regular message but will be transmitted transmission of the regular message and also so that priority message transmission will not be interrupted by regular message transmission.

Because of the great numbers of messages handled daily by transmission centers it has become desirable, and almost necessary, to provide automatic numbering apparatus for designating-each message transmitted by an identifying number. Such number may precede or follow each message text, depending on the particular scheme of transmission utilized.

Accordingly, stll another object of the invention is to provide means to cause the automatic operation of message numbering apparatus to transmit an identifying number for each message, whether it be in the priority or regular,

category.

In general, the invention provides for a plurality of regular message transmitters, a plurality of priority message transmitters, and a numbering transmitter, operating automatically in such a manner that an identifying number will be transmitted for each message transmitted through the operation of the numbering transimmediately after the complete mitter, the priority message transmitters will be 55 operated in which messages are available, and finally the operation will occur of regular message transmitters in which messages are available. In the event that no messages are initially available in priority transmitters the regular message transmitters will be operated in which messages are available, each being accompanied by an identifying number, until such time as a priority message is available which will then be transmitted, but only after the preceding regular message is completed.

The invention may be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating such a message center or transmission station including suitable apparatus, when viewed in conjunction with the following detailed description of the apparatus and its operation.

For the sake of clarity the following description will first describe the operation of the regular message transmitters in conjunction with the message numbering transmitter. Thereafter, the description will describe the operation of the station when messages are available in the priority message transmitters in conjunction with the message numbering transmitter, and also in conjunction with the regular message transmitters.

The latter description will include the situation of a regular message transmitter operating and a message being available in a priority message transmitter, whereby the latter is precluded from operation until the regular message is completely transmitted and the next identifying number has been sent.

The instant apparatus provides for each identifying number to be transmitted preceding the message which it identifies.

The transmission station is provided with a plurality of tape transmitters which may be similar to the type disclosed in Bulletin No. 141, published by the Teletype Corporation, Chicago, Illinois, in March, 1942, only two of which are shown and designated by the numerals H and I2: Such transmitters may be termed, the regular message transmitters, inasmuch as the normal or regular messages, as distinguished from a rush or priority message, will be transmitted from these units. Each'of the regular message transmitters such as I2 is provided with a distributor I3 for transmitting the message signals, a release magnet 14 for allowing the distributor to commence operation, and a tape indicator indicated generally as l6 which operates under the control of message tape within the transmitter in a manner which will be described more fully hereinafter. V

The transmission station also comprises a plurality of rush or priority message transmitters only two of which are shown, indicated generally by the numerals l1 and I8. The priority message transmitters are similar to those described above, each having a distributor [9, a release magnet 2l "for "the control thereof, and a tape indicatorindicatedgenerally by'the numeral 22. The tape indicator 22 difiers from the tape indicator l6, previously described, in a manner' which will be described more-fullyhereinafter. With respect to the tape indicator 'lii'associated with the regular message transmitter 12,"

the same comprises a contact' member 24-which is movable toward the right to engagement with a contact point 26 when tape is available in the transmitter and which is movable toward the left in engagement with an associated contact point 21 when no tape is in the transmitter, or when an end-of-message signal is sensed in the tapeunder the control of aspecial en'd-of mes- -sagedeler, which is well known in the art.

A stepping switch indicated generallyby the "numera1' 28'is provided forthe-regular message transnlittersand in the instant example is shown as comprising four contact banks 36 to 33, inclusive." Each of the contact banks 36 to 33, inelusive, has associatedtherewith an individual wiper which'is caused to'step to successivecontact points'under the control of a stepping magnet 34 in a well known "mannerand as will be rdescribed 'more fully hereinafter.

It may'be seen by reference to the drawing and particularly with 'respect to regular message transmitter [2 that the distributor I3 is connected by means of a conductor 36 to the first contact bank 30. The distributor start magnet 14 is connected'by a conductor3'! to the second contact bank 3!. contactZEi of the tape indicator device l6'is connected bysa conductor 36 to the third contact The right-hand bank-32 whereas the left-hand contact 21 of the tape indicator I6 is connected by a conductor 39 tothe fourth contact bank 33.

'Byrreference to the drawing it may be'see'n that each transmitter such "as [2 is connected to a single :set of contact points "of the contact banks .points,-for instance, of 'the'banks 36 -to-33,"inc1usive, and further transmitters-would be connected in a similar manner to others of the contact points. Only two transmitters have been -illustrated and connections "for-only one shown in orderto disclose the apparatus as simply-as possible. It is to be understood, however, that the operation of the apparatus described hereinafter wou1dbesimilar for any of a plurality of' transmitters.

By'referring now to the stepping-magnet 34 for controlling the stepping switch '28 it maybe seen-that such may become energized over a-circult which may be traced from grounded battery 4|, through a resistor, through an armature '42 of arelay 43, over a conductor 44, through an armature 46 of the stepping magnet 34;- and through the winding of the magnet 34 to ground. The magnet 34 will, therefore, become energized causing the individualwipers of the selector switch 28 to be moved simultaneouslyto 'successive contact points. Such occurs because every time the stepping magnet 34 becomes energized, it attracts its associated armature 46 thereto, thus breaking the steppin circuit just described and causing the stepping magnet 34 to be deenergized. Upon de-energization of this magnet'its"ar m'ature 46 falls back to its original or right-hand position thereby again completing the circuit for the energization of the magnet 34, resulting in the wipers bein moved another step or to the next succeeding set of contact points'of the'banks 30 to 33, inclusive. If an assumption'is made that a tape is available in the -reg-ular message transmitter [2, resulting in the movable-contact 24 being in engagement with the right hand contact 26, as previously described, a circuit will be established from grounded battery 41, through the swinger 24 and contact 26, over the conductor 38 to the first contact point of the contact bank 32, through the in'dividual wiper of'that contact bank, over a "conductor-48 to junotion-pointdil, over a conductor 5i and=through the winding ofthe-relay'43 to ground;- The relay :43 thusbecomes energized attracting its armature 42 thereto and thus precluding further establishment of the electrical circuitpreviously' described for the energiza'tion ofthe stepping magnet-34. The'stepping magnet 34;-thereiore; n'o' longer can be energized and the wipers will not be advanced further but will remain on-the first contact point of the banks 36 to 33 ,-=inclusive.

The circuit described immediately above may also be traced from junction point 49 over a con- .ductor' 52, -throughthe winding'of a relay 53, over a conductor 54; and through an armature 56 '0f-a re1ay'51-to' -ground. The-relay 53 will thus become energized resulting in itsarmatures 58-and 59-beingrattracted thereto; It might be noted at this point that the relays 43 and 53 will-remain energized as long as there is tape in the tape' indicator l6 inasmuch as battery 41 may 'then be applied 'continuously to the movable sWinger'24-and the'contact 26 for establishing the circuits traced.

It=may be seen -that-under the normal or deenergized' condition of 'therelay 53 the armature 59 will be in'itsright-hand position whereat a circuit :is "establishedfrom grounded battery 6 I through the armature "59, and through a condenser 62 to ground. The-result of such circuit is:that'the condenser 62 will become charged frQm the batte'ry GI in' which condition it will remain-until 'th'e relay 53 is energized causing the armature 59 to be 'attract-ed thereto and moved to engagement with its left-hand contact point, at-which time* the condenser 62 will discharge, aswill be described.

UpOn' the armatureSB moving to its left-hand contact poina-a circuit will be-'established for the discharge of the condenser 62 which may be traced-from ground,- through thecondenser 62, ovr"the armature 59, over a conductor 63 to junction" point My-over a conductor 66, and through me winding of a relay 61' to ground. The relay 61 'will immediately energize due to the discharge of the condenser 62.

A -single numbering transmitter 68 is provided at '-the tr anismission station which is'very similar-'' to -the"previously described transmitters in'that it'has adistributor 69 for signal impulses, a' -release ma'gnet 'll for controlling the operation of 1 the 1 distributor, and a special tape "indicator, shown 'g'enerally as 12'; which comprises a mov- =ableswinger13-"and a"contact point 14 which are 'cessive numbers therein.

normally closed but which are opened upon the sensing of a particular signal in the numbering tape in the transmitter 68, which may be, for instance, a "letters combination. The tape indicator 12 may also operate in response to the sensing of a special end-of-message signal in the tape.

It is contemplated that the numbering transmitter 68 will utilize a loop of tape which has been prepared with coded perforations of suc- Each number code combination will be followed by a special code perforation indicative of a letters combination or by a special end-of-message signal such as a sixth perforation, so that successive numbers will be separated and for a purpose which will be described more fully hereinafter.

Upon the energization of the relay 61, due to circuit for the relay is established which may be tracedfrom ground, through the winding of the relay 61, through the armature 16 which is associated therewith and which is attracted upon the energization of the relay, over a conductor 11, through the movable swinger 13 of the tape indicator 12 at the numbering transmitter "88, and through the contact 14 with which it is in engagement, to grounded battery 18. As was previously mentioned, the swinger 13 is normally in engagement with contact 14 and thus the locking circuit for the relay 61 will remain as such until a letters or other special combination is sensed in the numbering tape to cause the swinger 13 to move away from the contact 14. It might be again mentioned that such combination which was mentioned as being a letters combination is perforated in the tape only after the perforations indicative of the particular number, and, therefore, the contact will remain closed until the number has been transmitted and the letters combination sensed.

It is necessary for the locking battery just described to be applied to the relay 61 because even though the relay 53 remains energized there will be no more potential from the condenser 62 after it has discharged to cause the relay 61 to remain energized.

It should also be noted that upon the energization of the relay 53, the armature 58 is attracted thereto, which normally would result in an electrical circuit being established which 'may be traced from ground, through the winding of the distributor release magnet I4 of the regular message transmitter l2, over the conductor 31, through the first contact of the bank 3|, through the wiper in engagement therewith, over a conductor 19, through the armature 58 now in its right-hand position, over a conductor 8|, and through an armature 82 normally in its lefthand position, to grounded battery 83. However, upon the discharge of the condenser 62, the relay 81 will operate very rapidly in such a manner that it will attract its associated armatures, one of which is the armature 82, prior to the energization of the start magnet I4. Thus, inasmuch as the energizing circuit of the start magnet l4 is traced through the armature 82 it is impossible for the start magnet M to be energized at this time.

Upon the energization of the relay 61 its armature 84 will also be attracted thereto which results in the latter engaging and closing a contact 86 and causing a contact pair 81, which was previously closed, to be opened.

At the same time and upon the attraction of the armature 88, an electrical circuit is estab lished which may be traced from grounded battery 89, through the armature 88 which is now in its right-hand position, over a conductor 91,

through the coil of the distributor release magnet 1| of the numbering transmitter 68, to ground. The distributor release magnet 1| will thus become energized resulting in the distributor 69 being released for operation in a manner well known in the start-stop telegraphy art.

The numbering transmitter 68 will operate to sense the codal combinations in its tape in a well known manner and results in their being transmitted over a circuit which may be traced from grounded battery 92, through the distributor 69, over a conductor 93, through the armature 84, through the contact 86 with which it is in engagement, and over the line conductor 94 to a distant station whereat ground is supplied.

The transmitter 98 will operate to sense the tape and cause the transmission of any predetermined identifying member, which is utilized to precede and identify the intelligence message from the regular message transmitter l2.

Upon the completion of the identifying number being transmitted from the transmitter '68, a predetermined codal combination will be sensed in the tape thereat, described previously as a letters combination or an end-of-message signal, causing the movable swinger 13 to move toward the left out of engagement with its associated contact 14. As a result of the opening of such contact the locking circuit which was previously described for causing the relay 61 to remain energized will be broken and the relay 81 will de-energize, causing its armature 84, 16, 88, and 82 to no longer remain attracted but instead to drop away.

As a result of the dropping away of the armature 88 the circuit previously traced for the energization of the distributor release magnet H of the numbering transmitter 88 will no longer be established and the magnet 1| will become de-energized.

As a result of the nonattraction of the armature 84 the latter will fall away from engagement with its contact 88 and allow the contact pair 81 to once again become closed. This has the effect of removing the distributor 69 of the numbering transmitter 88 from connection to the line conductor 94.

Upon the nonattraction of the armature 82, the electrical circuit previously described from grounded battery 83, through the armature 82, over the conductor 8!, through the armature 58, over the conductor 19, through the contact bank 3|, over the conductor 31, and through the coil of the distributor release magnet M of the regular transmitter E2 to ground, will be established, re-

sulting in the magnet 14 becoming energized thus releasing the distributor l3 for operation.

The nonattraction of the armature 88 to engagement with its left-hand contact point will have no effect at this time inasmuch as the circuit traceable through the armature of the relay 51 will not be completed due to the nonenergization at this time of the relay 51, thus positioning the armature 96 in its unattracted position away from its associated contact.

Upon the release of the distributor l3 of the regular message transmitter l2, as just described, a circuit is established which may be traced from grounded battery 91, through the distributor I3,

39, over a conductor 98, through a closed contact 7 pair-99;.over a conductor lnl, through-discomtact pair- 81, now closed, and over the 1111610011.- ductor 94 to the distant station whereat ground will be supplied. The. regular message trans.- mitter I2. will continue .to operate with the sensing mechanism thereat, sensing the various codal combinations in the tapeand causing signals to be transmitted by means; of:the; dis,- tributor I3 over the line conductor 94. i The trans:- mitter will thus continue to operate until the entire message has been transmitted at which time'the tape. will no longer be in the transmitter or the transmitter will sense a special. end-ofmessage signal which will result in the operation of the tape indicator I 6 in such a manner as to cause the movable member 24 to be removed from engagement with the right-hand contact 26 and instead be positioned in engagementwith the left-hand contact 27.

As a result of the swinger 24 moving from its right-hand contact 26 to its left-hand contact .21, the circuit which had previously been traced through the contact 20, over the conductor 38, through the contact bank 32, over the conductor 48 to junction point 49, through the conductor 5| and the winding of relay 43 to ground will be broken, thus resulting in the de-energization of therelay 43. As a result of this the armature 42 will no longer be held attracted but instead will be allowed to move to its left-hand or unattracted position, once again establishing the circuit for the switch stepping magnet 34, the operation of which has previously been fully described. The operation of the stepping magnet 34 will cause the wipers of the stepping switch.28 to be moved to consecutive contact points. until such time as a point is reached at which the, tape indicator I6 of a regular message transmitter is so set that the movable member is in engagement with its right-hand contact pointat. which time a circuit will once again be. established through the contact bank 32 for the energization of the relay 43, thus once again precludingoperation of the stepping magnet 34. This will occur for the next regular message transmitter :having tape available.

At the same time that the relay;43-. de-energizes, the relay 53 will likewise de-energize inasmuch as no potential is received fromthe: junction point 49 and over-the conducton5,2;. Upon the de-energization of the relay 53 itsarmatures 58 and 59 will move to their unattracted-positions.

The movement of the armature 58 to its unattracted position results in the electrical circuit being broken which was previously describednas resulting in the energization of the distributor release magnet I4 of the regular message transmitter I2. Thus the distributor I3 will no-longer operate and the regular message transmitter, I2 will be precluded at this time from fm'ther transmitting.

Likewise, upon the de-energization of the relay 53 and the falling away of its armature 59 the latter will move to its right-hand position: at

which time a circuit is established fromuthe.

switclr28 to,--successive contact points until a position-, is reached whereat one of the plurality of the regular message transmitters, such as II or I2; is'found; with tape available for transmission. At thistime operation will occur similarly to that described above and the selected transmitter will operate to cause an identifying member to be transmitted from the numbering transmitter 68 and then the operation of the message transmitterto transmit the regular message over theline conductor 94. It is obvious that if another tape isimade available in the message transmitter I2 it. will again operate, similarly to the manner just described, at such time as the stepping switch 28 is progressed sufficiently for the wipers to be once again on the first contact points.

It is to be remembered that the present inventionincorporates means whereby if rush or priority messages are available they will be transmitted in preference to regular or standard messages, the transmission of which has just been described. Therefore, the operation of the rush or priority transmitters will now be described in conjunctionwith the numbering and regular message transmitters.

It is to be remembered that the rush or priority transmitters such as I! and I8 were described as comprising a distributor I9, a distributor release magnet 2I, and a tape indicator 22, allof which are very similar to the corresponding elements described with respect to the regular message transmitters. It should be noted, however, that the tape indicator 22 of the priority message-transmitter I1 is provided with two movable swingers I02 and I03 which operate together and which cooperate with contact points I04 and I00, respectively, in such a manner that the swingers wi-llbein engagement with their associated contacts when the tape indicator 22 is in a rightward position indicating that tape is available in the tape transmitter.

Associated with the priority message transmitters is a stepping switch indicated generally by thev numeral I07 which comprises three contact gbanks' I08,-; I09, and II I, each having individual wipers associated therewith. The stepping switch I01 operates similarly to the stepping switch 28, previously described, under the control of a stepping magnet IIZ in a manner which will be described more fully hereinafter.

The distributor I9 of the priority message transmitter I! is connected over a conductor II3 to the contact bank I08, the distributor release magnet 2I is connected over a conductor II4 to the switch bank I09, and the contact I06 associwith'was previously stepped under the control of ,astepping magnet 34 until such time as a transmitter wasconnected having tape available there- In respect to the instant or rush message transmitters, the stepping switch I 01 is not opertape indicator 22 will be positioned toward the a right withthe movable swinger I02 in engagement with the contact I04, thus completing a circuit. from ground, through the swinger I 02,

through the contact I04, over the conductor II1, through the winding of the relay I I8, to grounded battery H9. The relay I I8 thus becomes energized in which condition it will remain until such time as the tape indicator 22 moves to the left signifying that the message has 'been sent or that there is no tape available in any priority transmitter.

Upon the energization of the relay I I8 its armature I2I will be attracted thereto, resulting in the completion of an electrical circuit which may be traced from grounded battery I22, through the unattracted armature I23 of a relay I24, over a conductor I26, through the armature I2I, previously mentioned as being in its attracted position. over a conductor I21, through the winding of the magnet II2, through the armature I28 of the stepping magnet II2, to ground. The stepping magnet II2 thus becomes alternately energized and de-energized and causes the wipers of the stepping switch I01 to be successively stepped until such time as the tape transmitter having the tape available therein, such as I1 for example, is connected to the three contact banks of the stepping switch I01. ping through the operation of the stepping magnet II2 results, inasmuch as every time the stepping magnet II2 becomes energized it attracts its armature I28 thereto resulting in the breaking of the electrical circuit which has just been described for the energization of the stepping magnet. Upon the attraction of the armature I28 the stepping magnet II2 tie-energizes, the armature I28 falls back to its unattracted position and the stepping magnet II2 once again becomes energized to repeat the conditions just described. Thus, the stepping switch I01 will be operated successively as described, but, as also described, only when there is a rush message tape available in one of the priority message transmitters.

At such time as the stepping switch I01 positions its associated wipers on the contact banks in such a manner as to connect the first priority message transmitter having tape available therein as evidenced by the swingers I02 and I03 being moved to the right, an electrical circuit will be established which may be traced from ground, through the movable swinger I03, through the contact I06 in which it is in engagement, over the conductor H6, through contact point and wiper of the contact bank III, over conductor I29 to junction point I3I, over conductor I32 and through the winding of a relay I24 to grounded battery I33. Upon the establishment of such circuit the relay I24 becomes energized and attracts its armature I23 thereto which results in the breaking of the circuit previously described for causing the energization of the step-ping magnet II2. Thus, at this time the stepping magnet II2 will no longer be able to become energized, and, therefore, will not step the stepping switch I01 to any further contact point until such time as the tape indicator 22 is positioned to its left to indicate the message has been sent or that no tape is available.

At the same time as just described above, another electrical circuit may be traced from the junction point I3I, over a conductor I34, through the winding of the relay 51, over a conductor I36 to junction point I31, over a conductor I38, through the contact bank 33 of the stepping switch 28, over the conductor 39 to the contact point 21, and through the movable swinger 24 to grounded battery 41. It should be remembered at this time that the movable swinger 24 is toward Such successive step- '10 the left in engagement with the contact 21 inasmuch as the tape indicator I6 has been operated to indicate that there is no tape available in the regular message transmitter I2 or that the endof-message signal has been sensed. The result of the establishment of such a circuit is the energization of the relay 51 which results in the attraction of its armatures 56, 96, I39, MI, and I42.

It should be noted that the stepping switches 29 and I01 operate independently of each other and therefore during the operation of one of the regular message transmitters, such as transmitter I 2, the stepping switch I01 will operate to connect the rush message transmitter having tape availablethereat to the contact banks I08, I 09, and III. In this manner it is assured that as soon as the regular message is transmitted and the tape indicator I6 moved to the left the circuit is established for the energization of the relay 51, even though the remaining regular message transmitters may have message tape available thereat.

As the armature I39 is attracted a circuit is established which may be traced from grounded battery I43, through the armature I39, over a conductor I44 to junction point I31, and thence over conductor I36 and through the winding of the relay 51 and over the circuit previously described to the tape indicator 22. This acts as locking battery for the relay 51 and allows the relay to remain energized even though someone may restore the tape to the regular message transmitter I2 resulting in the movable swinger 24 being moved from contact 21 to contact 26, or though the stepping switch 28 may be advanced to connect another message transmitter having tape available to the contact bank 33.

pleted from grounded battery I46, through the armature MI and through a condenser I41 to ground. During the unenergized condition of relay 51 the condenser I41 will build up a charge from battery I46 which upon the relay 51 ener- 'gizing and attracting its armature I4I, thereto, results in potential being discharged over a conductor I43 to junction point 64 and thence over the conductor 66 and through the winding of relay B1 to ground. Relay 61 will immediately energize.

Upon the energization of the relay 51 its armature 56 is also attracted thereto which results in the breaking of the circuit from ground, through armature 56, and over conductor 54 to the winding of the relay 53. Under this condition the relay 53 can not become energized and,

therefore, the regular message transmitters such as I2 will not be able to operate or transmit message intelligence over the line conductor 94.

The energization of the relay 51 also results in' its armature 96 being attracted thereto which would normally result in the completion of a circuit from grounded battery 89, through the armature 88, over a conductor I49, through the armature 96, over a conductor I5I, through the contact bank I09, over a conductor H4, and through the winding of distributor release magnet 2! to ground. However, such circuit is not established because as a result of the rapid discharge of the condenser I41 and the subsequent rapid energization of the relay 61, its armature 88 will be attracted thereto prior to the energization of the distributor release magnet 2| which precludes the supplying of potential for the energization of that magnet from the battery '11 99 until such time as the armature 88 returns to its unattracted position due to the de-energization-o'f the relay 61.

The energization of the :relay '51 causes the attraction of its associated armature I42 and places that armature in engagement with an associated contact I52 and causes the opening of .the contact pair 99, previously mentioned.

Upon the 'energization of the relay '6'! through the discharge of :the condenser I41 its armature 16 is attracted thereto which results in looking battery being supplied from the grounded battery .18 at the numbering transmitter '63, through the tape indicator 12 in a manner which was previously described for the supplying of locking :battery for this same-relay in the description of :the operation of the 'regularmessage transmitter.

The movement of the armature 88 of the relay =6! rightwardlyn'ot only precludes the completion of an electrical circuit for the energization of the distributor release magnet 2| of the rush transmitter I! but upon its movement to the right completes a circuit from grounded battery 89, through the armature 88, 'over the conductor 9|, and through the winding of the distributor release magnet at :the numbering transmitter :68 -to ground. The distributor 69 of the numbering transmitter .68 will thus 'be released for operation resulting in the message identifying number being transmitted over a circuit from grounded battery 92, through :the distributor 69, over the conductor :93, through the :armature 84 which is in its left-hand position due to the 'energization of the relay-61, thnoughcontact 86 and over the line conductor 94 to the distant station. After the identification mumber has been transmitted, the tape indicator 32 of the numbering transmitter operate similarly to :that described previously, resulting upon the sensing of a letters combination or an end-of-message combination, the movable member 13 being removed from en agement with its contact 74. This latter condition results in lock-ing battery previously traced from battery 18 no longer being applied to the relay 6], thus resulting the de-energization thereof.

Under this condition the armature 84 will no longer be attracted to its ieftward position in engagement with the contact 86 but will be opened thereat resulting in the message numbering transmitter 68 no longer being connected to the line conductor 94 but instead allowing the closure of the contact pair 81.

At .this time also the armature 88 will once again move to its unattracted position resulting in the establishment of an electrical circuit from battery 99 throu h the winding of the distributor release magnet 21 of the priority message transmitter .11, as previously traced. The energization .of this magnet causes .the release of the distributor 1.9 which results in the transmission 01' the rush message over the line conductor by means of a circuit which may be traced from grounded battery I53, through th distributor 19, over the conductor .Il3, through the contact bank 108, over a conductor I54, through the armature I42 which is in engagement with the contact I52 due to the energization of the relay 51, over the conductor .IIJI, through the closed contact pair 81, and over the line conductor 94 to ground which is supplied at the distant station.

The priority message transmitter I! will thus continue to operate to transmit its complete message over the line conductor 94 in a manner well known in the telegraphic art.

At the completion 'of the transmission of the rush message, the tape will no longer be available in the tape transmitter I or an end-'of-message signal will be sensed therein resulting in the tape indicator 22 moving to its left-hand position which is the normal position with no tape avail- 'able for message transmission. Upon this [occurrence, the movable member I02 will no longer engage the contact I94 and thus ground will no longer be supplied'over conductor II! for the euel'gization of the relay IIB. :At 'this'time the relay III! will de-energizecausing its armature I-2'I to fall 'away therefrom thus breaking the circuit which was previously described for the energizing circuit of the stepping magnet -I I2. Thus, .the stepping magnet will not be able to step the stepping switch I91 to a new position unless a tape should be in one of the other priority transmitters such as H! which would, of course, result in a completed stepping magnet circuit.

At the same time, the movable member I03 is removed from engagement with the contact I06 thus removing ground from conductor I46 through switch bank I I, conductors I29-and I32, and through the coil of the relay 1 24. Relay I24, therefore, de-energizes resulting in its armature I23 moving to its right-hand position .thus preparing the circuit for the stepping magnet H2 for energization upon the attraction-of the tarmature I2I as a result of the closure of the tape indicator 22. At the same time ground is also removed from the circuit extending from junction point I31, over conductor I34, through the winding of relay .51, .over conductor I36 to junction point I31, over conductor I44, and throughar-mature I39 to grounded battery I43. Relay 51, therefore, .de-energizes resulting in the armatures 139, 56, 96, MI and I42 all moving to their unattracted positions.

Upon armature I42 becoming unattracted it is removed from engagement with its contact I52 thus removing the distributor I9 .from connection with the line conductor 94 and instead allowing the contact pair 99 to close.

The falling away of armature I4I allows the circuit for charging the condenser I41 to be again v stablished, the condenser storing potential until such time as the circuit may be broken again by the attraction of armature MI.

The falling away of the armature 96 results in the circuit being broken which previously was traced for the energization of the distributor release magnet 2|, thereby precludin further operation of the transmitter I9 of the rush or priority message transmitter I'I.

.Also upon de-energization of the relay 51 the armature 56 .moves to its unattracted position thereby conditioning a circuit for the energization of relay 53 which occurs in the event that there is tape in any of the regular message transmitters and no tape available in any of the priority message transmitters.

The falling away of armature I39 breaks the locking circuit for the relay 5! which it was described is utilized in the event that after the priority message transmitter has been conditioned tape is replaced in the regular message transmitter I3 thus causing the movable member 24 of the tape indicator I6 to be placed in engagement with its contact 26.

As a result of the above occurrences the apparatus is now conditioned for retransmission depending on whether messages are available in the priority or regular message transmitters. In the event that the former is true the priority message transmitter-having the message therein will be conditioned which will'result in the numbering transmitter first transmitting the message identifying number and thereafter the priority message being transmitted over the line vconductor, all in a manner as described. If no messages are available in any of the priority message transmitters, the regular message transmitter having tape available therein will operate, first being conditioned and causing the transmission of the identifying number through operation of the numbering transmitter 63 and thereafter sending the regular message stored in its tape. The transmission station will thus operate as described above continuously as long as there are messages available in tape form in any of the transmitters, either regular or priority.

It was previously mentioned that a condition could occur wherein one of the regular message transmitters Was transmitting a message and tape was made available in one of the priority message transmitters. Obviously under this condition it is undesirable to break in on the message being transmitted but instead desirable to transmit the priority message upon completion of the regular message. The above possible difficulty is overcome by making it necessary to trace the circuit for the energization of the relay which controls the operation of the priority transmitters through the switch bank 33 of the stepping switch 28 and the tape indicator it of the regular message transmitter l2, That is, at such time as the regular message transmitter I2 is transmitting its message the tape indicator I6 will be positioned with its movable swinger 24 in engagement with the right-hand contact 26 and thus no battery is available through the contact 21 for causing the energization of the relay 51. However, immediately upon the completion of the message the movable swinger 24 will move to the left thus supplying battery for the energization of the relay 5']! conditioned through the tape indicator 22 of the priority transmitter being in its right-hand position thereby allowing operation of the priority transmitter having tape available therein and precluding operation of any of the regular message transmitters through preventing energization of the relay as at armature 56. Therefore, the regular message transmitters are also precluded from operating during the operation of any of the priority message transmitters.

It is obvious that even though tape were available in one of the other regular message transmitters such as H, the priority transmitter I! would still operate as described above because no circuit could be traced through the bank 32 for the energization of the relay 53 prior to the disabling of that relay inasmuch as the wiper of switch bank 32 would remain on the contact point associated with the regular message transmitter which had just transmitted its message a sufficient time to allow operation of the relay 51.

In View of the above description it is obvious that the transmission station will operate to transmit regular type messages and priority or rush type messages, every one of which is preceded by an identifying number. Likewise, through automatic operation of the system the priority messages will be transmitted in preference to the regular messages but will not break in during number transmission or transmission of any of the regular messages.

It should also be noted that the transmitting station may be operated in a reverse manner; that is, the selector switch I01 could operate continuously whereas the selector switch 28 would operate only when tape is in one of the regular transmitters.

It is obvious that the above description is of a specific embodiment of the invention and that such is but illustrative only, the invention not being limited to the particular disclosure.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telegraph transmission station, a plurality of rush message transmitters, a plurality of regular message transmitters, means associated with said rush message transmitters and under the control thereof for selecting a rush message transmitter having a message available thereat, means associated with said regular message transmitters for selecting a regular message transmitter having a message available thereat, and means under the control of said rush message transmitters to give them preference of transmission over said regular message transmiters.

2. In a telegraph transmission station, a plurality of rush message transmitters, a plurality of regular message transmitters, a tape indicator in each of said rush message transmitters for determining the availability of rush message tape, a tape indicator in each of said regular message transmitters for determining the availability of regular message tape, and means under the control of said tape indicators for determining the sequence of transmission of all of said transmits ters.

3. In a telegraph transmission station, a plurality of rush message transmitters, a tape indicator in each of said rush message transmitters, a stepping switch under the control of saidtape indicators for determining the sequence of transmission of said rush message transmitters, a plurality of regular message transmitters, a tape indicator in each of said regular message transmitters, a stepping switch under the control of said latter tape indicators for determining the sequence of transmission of said regular message transmitters, and means controlled by said tape indicators and responsive to said stepping switches to give preference of transmission to said rush message transmitters.

4. In a telegraph transmission station, a plurality of rush message transmitters, a tape indicator in each of said rush message transmitters, a stepping switch under the control of said tape indicators for determining the sequence of transmission of said rush message transmitters, a plurality of regular message transmitters, a tape indicator in each of said regular message transmitters, a stepping switch under the control of said latter tape indicators for determining the sequence of transmission of said regular message transmitters, means controlled by said tape indicators and responsive to said stepping switches to give preference of transmission to said rush message transmitters, and means under the control of said latter tape indicators to preclude the operation of one of said rush message transmitters during the operation of one of said regular message transmitters.

5. In a telegraph transmission station, a plurality of priority message transmitters, a plurality of regular message transmitters, a numbering transmitter, means to cause operation of said numbering transmitter prior to the operation of any of said priority or regular message transmitters, means to cause operation of said priority message transmitters in preference to the operation of said regular message transmitters, means associated withsaid:regular:message:transmittersn toppreclude: operation otsaid! priority messagetransmitters during the operation of saidqregula-rr messageztransmitters, and'=rneans under-the control ofsa-id priority message transmitters to pre: clude operation of saidregularlmessage transmitters during the operation .of:sa-id prioritymessage transmitters.

6; In a transmissionstation, a first groupof telegraph transmitters, aa-second groupof teleraph; transmitters, a stepping switch associated: with": each group of transmitters, said stepping switch controlling the: selection of a transmitter; frompits respective group, means operating in accordance with the setting of said selector: switches'tocause the operation of said first group; of telegraphtransmitters in preference to the. operation of said second group of telegraph transmitters, and means to insure the completion of transmission over any one of said transmitters of one group prior to the transmission of any; one-wot, said transmitters of the other group.

7. In a telegraph transmission station, a'pluerality of rush message transmitters, a tape indicator-ineach of said rush message transmitters, a-:stepping switch under the control of said tape indicators fordetermining the sequence of trans-- mission of said rush message transmitters, a plurality; of regular message transmitters, a tape indicatorin eachof. said regular message transmitters; a steppingswitch under the control of said latter tape indicators for determiningthe sequence of transmissionof said regular messagetransmitters, means controlled by said tape indicators andresponsive to said stepping switches'to. give-preference of transmission to saidrush messagetransmitters, a numbering transmitter; andv means responsive to said stepping switches for causing operation of said numbering transmitter prior to the operation of any of;said. rush or regular message transmitters, whereby message identification may occur.

8.- In;a telegraph transmission station, a pluralitywof rush.message transmitters, a tape indicator; in each of said rush message transmitters, ,a stepping switch under the control of said tape indicators for determining the sequence of transmission of said rush message transmitters, a; plurality of regular message transmitters, a tape'indicator in each of said regular message transmitters, a stepping switch under the control of said latter tape indicators for determiningithe Lfi sequencerof; transmission .015 isaidire ular rmessage transmitters, a ;numbering;,;transmitter-, means ;at said numbering,transmittenresppnsive to, an endof-number signal means responsive-to said stepping switches; for, causing operation; of said;

numbering transmitter priorto the operation :of any of said rush or regular-message transmitters, whereby; message identification may occur, and means responsive to: saidrend-of-number signalresponsive means and said stepping switches and' controlled by said-tape indicators to.;give pref,-- erence; of transmission to said rush message transmitters.

9. In a-telegraphtransmission-station, a plurality of rush-message transmitters, a tape indicator in each ofsaid rush message transmitters, a stepping-switch under the-control of said tape indicators for: determining thesequence; oitransmission of" said rushumessage-transmitters,av

plurality; of regular:messagevtransmitters, a; tape indicatoiwin each 'of saidiregular messagetrans-- mittersiastepping switch under the control of; said lattera tape! indicatorss for; determining the: sequence? of transmission of :said regularmessage transmitters; a numberingtransmitter; means-atsaidnumoering transmittenresponsive-to an-endof-numberv signal, means: responsive to, said, stepping switches forr causing operation of 3 said" numbering transmitteripriorrtd the operation of any otisaid rushnor-regnlarz message transmitters; whereby message identification-may occur, means; responsive to said. endiof-numben signal responsive 5 means: andzsaid :steppin switches and, controlled by said;tape;indicators= to give preference; of transmission: to: said: ruslr. message transmitters; and;'-.meansscontrolled' by saidtape indicators; and: said enda-iof-number signalresponsivez means to preclude the operation. of

others of said-transmitters :during the operation of any oneof saidEtransmitterS:

REGINALD G. SCHULER'.

REFERENCESaCIT ED The following-references'are of record-in the file of this-patent? UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,172,920fl Anderson" Sept,- 12, 1939 2,279,295 Blanton Apr. 14, 1942 2,293,704x Blah-ton Aug-25,1942 2,406,787" Bacon Sept; 3, 19 ,26 

